Testing Peers

Welcome to episode 104 of the Testing Peers podcast.

This time around we have a special trio of Callum Akehurst-Ryan, Russell Craxford & Ben Dowen, as the Peers talk about owning your career.

Callum starts us off with important banter on snackage, before we head into sharing our own career stories and discussing what owning your career means along with our own challenges and some words of wisdom. 

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Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

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Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers podcast. Beth Marshall joins Chris, David and Russell to discuss the topic of saying no.

Chris starts with the banter, asking the peers which films they have turned off or left the cinema because they were rubbish, various films mentioned, although the northerners on the recording seem to never walk out on anything.

On the main topic, the discussion around what we've said no to in the work/community environment, from not doing talks or taking on too much extra curricular activities and putting yourself first. Getting overwhelmed is never a good thing to allow happen too often and knowing your limits should be seen as a positive.

The key message here is that it is OK to not say yes to everything asked of you. What can you say no to, to protect your mental health or wellbeing?

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on L

Support the show

Welcome to episode 102 of the Testing Peers podcast.

This time around join Tara Walton, Chris Armstrong, Russell Craxford & David Maynard, as the Peers talk about measuring.

On the week of our first #PeersCon event, Tara breaks the ice, asking us our favourite and least favourite parts of conferences.

Then we dive in.

The team discussed the traps of bad metrics, gamification, toxic culture and talk about the importance of value and relevancy in what we report on with a few tales from Chris (as per usual).

We do share other tips and tricks, Russell mentions DORA metrics.

What struggles have you had with metrics? Better yet, what success stories have you had?

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

In this episode Rich Bradshaw, Simon, David and Chris talk all things automation.

Banter this week is brought to by Rich as we discover TK Maxx is the perfect way to explain exploratory testing.

We dive into our first experiences of automation, going back a while, talking about different tools, tech debt and the frustration. We talk about the joys of source control.

We talk about going full circles from automation to aid us to focusing on the UI automation then end to end testing then back to using automation to help make life easier again. We ponder is automation about making testing more effective, and quality better or saving money?

Discussions move on to talk about creating automation tests and understanding the risks to decide what to test and how both are now common requirements in testers. 

We would love for you to join us and be a part of our first-ever conference, Testing Peers Conference #PeersCon - we are looking for "VolunPeers" to help make this event a success if you want to help, please apply here: testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/

Tickets are available here: testingpeerscon.com/ticket/

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

Testing Peers podcast has reached 100 episodes!

Beth Marshall (10 episodes), chairs this special look back and forward episode, joined by Simon Prior (78 episodes), Russell Craxford (88), Chris Armstrong (93) and David Maynard (96).

Beth skillfully guides the conversation to talk about the podcast and beyond, what are we most proud of?

A few little peeks behind the curtain, including some insight into how long the editors typically take per episode. Many thanks to you David and Russell <3

The Peers talk about successes and failures, which leads to us discussing tips for those who want to create their content.

The group then close by looking forward to March 14th 2024, with the inaugural Testing Peers Conference.

Thank you for joining us on this journey so far, please continue to provide feedback, we only improve thanks to you.

Finally, to all our co-hosts and episode contributors......in addition to the five in this episode, we have another 21 wonderful humans joining us to date:

Dave Shorter, Bruce Hughes, Shey Crompton, Steve Watson, Ugne Livinaite, Dan Ashby, Steven Warburton, Emna Ayadi, Neil Studd, Heather Reid, Vernon Richards, Sam Nitsche, Tara Walton, Beth Clarke, Callum Akehurst-Ryan, Dermot Canniffe, Beren van Daele, Sanne Visser, Lena Nyström, Ben Dowen & Jon Richardson.

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

One away from the big 100, what better way to celebrate than talking about our experience with failures? Simon, Chris, Russell and David share stories of failures from their careers and what they have learned from them.

Before diving into the main topic, Chris leads the banter and asks the Peers about their failures when it comes to computer games, which ones did they really suck at? :) Sports games seems to be the main theme here.

The peers cover a lot of ground on the topic of failures, but the biggest common ground is definitely the need to learn from them and not repeat the same failures again.

What failures have you learned most from in your career?

Flipping that and looking at future successes, we would love for you to join us and be a part of our first-ever conference, Testing Peers Conference #PeersCon - we are looking for "VolunPeers" to help make this event a success if you want to help, please apply here: testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/

We would love to partner with companies for sponsorship of the conference too: testingpeerscon.com/partners

Tickets are available here: testingpeerscon.com/ticket/

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers podcast. On this episode, Chris, Russell and David are joined by a new guest, Jon Robinson. The topic they all discussed was the wonders (or lack of wonder) around Meetings.

Jon leads the banter and asked everyone for their weirdest/craziest meetings, this covers everything from awkward situations, to lack of context, to managers taking over and sending meetings in different directions.

Russell asks the peers for their favourite meetings, this covers everything from the casual manager meeting who puts the "quick chat" type meeting into the calendar to the productive meetings that have the clearest agenda and a definite outcome.

General meeting etiquette and how we improve a meeting culture going forward and tips for discussions that aren't right for meetings (and an email or a quick message would suffice).

What are your thoughts on meetings? Do you have a favourite type? let us know! 

In the spirit of collaboration, we would love for you to join us and be a part of our first-ever conference, Testing Peers Conference #PeersCon - we are looking for "VolunPeers" to help make this event a success if you want to help, please apply here: testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/

We would love to partner with companies for sponsorship of the conference too: testingpeerscon.com/partners

Tickets are available here: testingpeerscon.com/ticket/

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

Happy New Year from the Testing Peers!

In this episode, the FullSnackTester, Ben Dowen joins Russell, David and Chris as we talk collaboration.

Before the main event, Ben asks the group about resolutions, where the group talk about reading, fitness, cooking, answering conference calls for papers and our own conference #PeersCon, coming March 14th 2024 in Nottingham, more information can be found at testingpeerscon.com

Ben starts the group off by talking about collaboration at work, from pairing to ensembling. Working in small and big groups, on something at the same time.

We discuss the myth of inefficiency around collaboration, tips for creating safe spaces, routines, accountability and more.

The value of including cross-functional colleagues in collaboration activities, the aim of a shared purpose and learning together is touched upon.

The Peers discuss how collaboration enables responsibility, empowers and enables ownership.

We also discuss what can get in the way of successful collaboration, from conflicting priorities and office politics to individual goals getting in the way.

There is an understanding that we all make mistakes, but we can learn from them, iterate and always look for ways to continuously improve. We talk about training and awareness, and how to sell upwards.

We talk about how collaboration can give a voice and more inclusion to functions in teams that are often marginalised in a culture that is often built around development efficiency.

It was a really fun discussion, we hope you enjoyed it and would love to hear how you collaborate at work.

In the spirit of collaboration, we would love for you to join us and be a part of our first-ever conference, Testing Peers Conference #PeersCon - we are looking for "VolunPeers" to help make this event a success if you want to help, please apply here: testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/

Tickets are available here: testingpeerscon.com/ticket/

We wish you the happiest of new years, from all of us here at Peers HQ.

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We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

Merry Christmas, season's greetings and happy holidays from the Testing Peers!

Welcome to our fourth annual festive episode.

Steve Watson, Tara Walton, Lena Nyström & Dermot Canniffe join Chris, Russell, David and (eventually) Simon as we engage in Would Heu-risk it? at this time of the year.

Before we dive into the main event, Russell asks the Peers our favourite thing at Christmastime:- anything from food, family, old movies, presents and time off.

We then kick-off with Would Heu-Risk it? a card deck and book, born from gamifying risk workshops.

The group bring their festive problems to Lena, she then draws three WHRI cards (a la fortune teller / tarot) and we discuss what the cards can tell us.

The group bring problems from exploratory testing, organising a conference (hello #PeersCon), team availability, budgets, communication, annual reviews, change and WIP limits.

The pod closes out with the group giving a little end of year festive message to you all.

Thank you for listening!

The Testing Peers Conference will happen on 14th March 2024 in Nottingham, if you want to be part of it, check out the site and we are looking for speakers, sponsors and VolunPeers.

Check out the site and get involved: https://testingpeerscon.com

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LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)

We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show

Thank you for joining the Testing Peers for another episode. On this one, Chris, David, Simon and Russell discuss the role of the manager and whether we still need them.

Before jumping in, David asks the peers what things they can't live without, we have answers from people, the internet, books and coffee machines.

Simon starts the main conversation of whether we could live without managers. Of course, context is key here, every company is different and the needs for a Test Manager or manager in general can be varied. Has the role evolved? Have companies and people evolved with it?

Simon mentions a blog post he wrote a few years ago and that a lot of what was written then, is still relevant now.

Has the role changed? What do you think?

The Testing Peers Conference will happen on 14th March 2024 in Nottingham, if you want to be part of it, check out the site and we are looking for speakers, sponsors and VolunPeers.

Check out the site and get involved: https://testingpeerscon.com

[email protected]

Twitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)

We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app stores

If you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeers

Saffron QA is a provider of recruitment and consultancy services, exclusively for the software testing industry.

You can find out more at https://saffronqa.co.uk/  or on LinkedIn

Support the show